We did our first icing a little while ago. It was hard. He's really drugged, so he's stumbling and not really able to walk. He let us ice him, but he was shaking badly and his eyes were somewhat sunken.

I feel so horrible for him.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

His fidgety whiney stuff is probably the pre-anesthetic drugs or the anesthetic itself, the affects can take some time to wear off. I don't think any of those meds you mentioned often make them whiney so once the drugs wear off. If you'd like if they list the meds in the bill then I can tell you how long this stage might last or give you some tips to help him.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

I agree with Malli, the whiney stuff is probably residual drugs from post op pain control. I've noticed that with our previous surgeon the drug combos he preferred in a CRI (constant rate infusion) drip caused the vast majority of the dogs to be whiney. They were dopped out of their minds but still noisy. It will wear off given some more time.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

They used isoflurane and telazol during the operation (yesterday.) He had metacam and butorphanol at the vet via his IV.

When we picked him up we gave him an Ace (25mg) then a few hours later with dinner he got metacam, 100 mg tramadol, and 1000 mg cephalex

We plan to keep him heavily sedated for the first week, but do dogs build up a tolerance to Ace? We have enough for one pill twice a day, but if they get less effective over time, that's not going to help anything.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

I am not sure if he could build up a tolerance to the ace, I would opt for the lowest dose that will keep him quieter, if you can decrease it.

Its probably the anesthetic. Maybe the Butorphanol...

The tramadol is a synthetic opiate and should be making him feel really comfy, and the metacam will keep any pain related to swelling down as well.

If you can, try keeping him in a dimly lit area with low noise. He could be overstimulated. You could also try a thick blanket over his crate, if he is crated.

Is he eating?

To ensure he is not in any pain, look for shaking, inability to relax, yelping or whining in relation to the leg (specifically something that you'd expect would hurt, given the circustances), lack of appetite, reluctance to stand or move, etc.

If he is eating then he can't be too stressed or in too much pain

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Yeah, his appetite is good. He's obviously in pain, but he's dealing with it. The hardest thing for him seems to be figuring out a way to lay down with only one back leg in use. He's actually doing really well all things considered. Thanks for the kind words everyone. We appreciate them.

Demo Dick

"My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban PERMANENTLY as soon as I take office...I intend to work with Congress on a national no carry law, 1 gun a month purchase limits, and bans on all semi-automatic guns."-Barack Obama"When in doubt, whip it out."-Nuge